Sebastian

We live in Sebastian and like it.  When we first considered moving to Indian River County, Vero Beach seemed a natural choice because it is larger and better known than Sebastian.  As we explored, we realized that Sebastian has a smaller-town feel, whereas Vero Beach felt more urban to us.  But of course, that is relative, Vero Beach being small compared to most other places.  We chose Sebastian -- and remain glad we did.

It turns out others feel the same. Money Magazine rated it as  one of "The Best Places to Live on the Coast.“ “Coastal Living…calls Sebastian a distinctive place that is not 'generica' – places that look just like other places with the same stores and strip malls. ‘Sebastian was an old fishing village and it's moved away from that, but it still has that feel, that relaxing sense of life’."

Friendly people attracted us to Sebastian.  The sign welcoming us when we arrived in 1997 warmly proclaimed:

"14,000 friendly people and six old grouches" 

We've encountered four so far.

Townsfolk smile as they pass one another.  Shop owners and staff recognize us and we them. We're still small enough that drivers invite us to turn into the travel lane. If late when visiting, we jokingly excuse ourselves with the excuse, "That Sebastian Traffic."

Also important is that we feel safe. The city crime index is only 222 compared to 325 nationally. If you don’t like see many patrol cars, you best go elsewhere. (By the way, watch your speed; otherwise you may be introduced to one of our fine officers.)

Not having a mall five minutes away is fine with us.  We drive 20 minutes without complaint to avoid the activity a mall brings to a town.  And for cultural events, etc., it doesn't take long to reach Vero Beach.

Having said all this, we have seen an increase in people and traffic over these years.  As townspeople tell their friends and family of the fine lifestyle here, they come to visit and many remain.  Because zoning does not permit high rise buildings, we feel this will do much to limit the congestion and problems so common elsewhere.

To sum up, Sebastian has a small-town feel with the conveniences of a larger area.

City of Sebastian

Sebastian Chamber of Commerce Guide

Wikipedia article